The cold weather in the Tucson area probably has you dragging out the old sheets and blankets to cover frost sensitive plants. After a while, this is quite a chore. There are plenty of cold hardy plants to choose from, so you don’t have to deal with this every year with these easy swaps.
Cassia (now called Senna). Cassia freezes in low areas of Tucson as well as in Green Valley. Great substitutes are either the Texas Ranger, Black Dalea, or Bush Dalea. Texas Rangers bloom in the summer, the daleas bloom in the winter.
Octopus Agave. The Octopus Agave has an interesting, twisted form, but is damaged when temperatures dip into the 20’s. Try the smaller version called Green Spider Agave, or the cold hardy Parry’s or Murphey’s Agave.
Trailing Lantana. If you live here in the summer, Trailing Lantana is a colorful ground cover that attracts butterflies. However, for winter visitors, the long dormant period means you have a brown spot while you are here. Try the cold hardy Saltillo Primrose or Prostrate Germander instead.
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